Girls’ hockey, 5-13-2, closed the 2025-2026 season after a challenging first year as an independent team.
Previously, North and South shared a combined girls’ hockey team, but this year marked the first season for North’s standalone program, led by head coach Christopher Donovan.
According to senior Lexi Blanchfield, a captain alongside senior Audrey Welstead, the transition to being a single-school team was difficult as it lost several talented players from the previous combined roster. She added that the team embraced the challenge and worked to fill the gaps that were left.
Donovan said, “Overall, for a first-year team, I think things went well. We were competitive in 90 percent of our games, and with a few bounces of the puck in our favor, we had a chance to win a few more than we did.”
Although the team faced tough losses throughout the season, players continued to support one another and push each other to grow individually and as a team.
“The effort and attitude of the players was terrific. I set some standards at the beginning of the season and the team embraced them,” Donovan said.
The Tigers were also challenged by their small roster size, but they persevered by working hard both on and off the ice to improve their endurance.
According to Blanchfield, the team addressed this challenge by focusing on its conditioning and playing short shifts in order to maintain its best level of play, even when fatigued.
Despite difficulties, the season helped build strong camaraderie among the players.
Blanchfield added, “The team became more tight knit, partially due to us all being at the same school now. It made the season much more enjoyable, to have great friends on the team.”
During the off-season, returning players plan to focus on becoming stronger and more consistent, according to freshman Maya Saris.
“I’m looking forward to getting closer with my current and future teammates and to helping the team make playoffs,” said Saris.
According to Donovan, players will receive individual feedback on what they need to work on during the off-season, and captains for next year will be selected in the fall.
